Gene Frenette

GAINESVILLE — When you come right down to it, Patric Young is Florida basketball’s lower-profile version of Tim Tebow. His teammates and coach Billy Donovan can’t stop gushing about his intense desire to always play the game, and live life, the right way.

The 6-foot-9 Young, a Paxon/Providence High product, came to UF four years ago as a McDonald’s All-American. He will soon leave as everybody’s All-American, and not necessarily for the numbers or highlight reels delivered to the No. 3-ranked Gators.

Every team that aspires for greatness needs someone like Young, a grinder willing to do anything for the cause. On arguably the best balanced team in the country, Young showed again in Saturday’s 78-69 victory over Alabama why he’s the perfect player for the team-oriented system Donovan tries to implement.

Young had 11 points and a season-low two rebounds, but his modest numbers don’t tell the whole story. It’s what the box score doesn’t show that makes him so valuable. Like the two charges Young took against the Crimson Tide (giving him 38 for his career), one an elbow to the lip and the other when Algie Key barreled into his chest.

Early in the second half, after ’Bama took its last lead at 41-39, Young got inside position for a three-point play that triggered a 17-3 Florida run during an eight-minute stretch.

“A total-team guy, unselfish, doesn’t care if he scores, wants to win, and cares about his relationships,” Donovan said of Young. “He’s about as unbelievable a kid as I’ve ever coached.”

It’s a repetitive theme heard from virtually everyone who ever played with or coached UF’s gentle giant. Not just because he won a state title at Providence or stayed four years in Gainesville, but how he enjoyed the journey.

“He was everybody’s favorite guy,” said Providence coach Jimmy Martin. “We had him for only one year, but the impact he had on our school was like a dream for us. He lived in a leadership role for us all the time. I hope someday I leave half the legacy of what Patric’s left here.”

Between his foot-on-the-gas work ethic and engaging personality, Young has become the face of UF’s program behind Donovan. He’s so popular on campus, they had a Patric Young “Beard Night” last month against Georgia.

Instead of having a wandering eye for the NBA, Young has become the epitome of all the right things about college athletics. He carries a 3.37 GPA in telecommunications, already being recognized twice as SEC Scholar of the Year for men’s basketball.

“I think everyone that goes to college should stay in college unless they’re one of those special ones like [former Kentucky star] Anthony Davis,” said Young. “Overall, you should enjoy the [college] process, develop and love your teammates. Once you leave this, you’re not going to be able to experience it again.

“Every [NBA] pro I’ve talked to has said the same thing — ‘Once you leave college, it’s not the same as far as friendships, camaraderie.’ I wanted to experience all of it.”

Not that it was all a smooth road. Donovan recalls some frustrating moments for Young during his sophomore year, prompting the UF coach to call the family’s Northside home.

“Patric was a little bit immature at times, so I had a conversation with his mother [Bennita],” said Donovan. “She gave me the best line, [saying] ‘Coach, that’s what college is for, for young men to become men.’ I had no response for it. That was perfect.”

Nobody has soaked in the total college experience like Young. He doesn’t skip classes. He regularly supports other Gator athletes at their games (“I can’t wait for [women’s] lacrosse to start.”) He also uses the platform basketball has given him to make hospital visits, play mentor to kids when necessary.

And Young is big on honoring his parents’ wishes (father Robert was a tight end for the USFL Jacksonville Bulls), even when he disagrees with them. When his Abraham Lincoln-type beard got a little too long for Bennita in December, he consented to cut it.

“She made me trim it down before Christmas break, I was pretty upset,” Young said. “I think she’s a little embarrassed when I go on TV and it’s looking a little scraggly. I don’t care about that. But I want her to be happy.”

That’s Patric Young, always wanting to please everybody. It’s the kind of selfless trait that could help carry Florida to the Final Four.

Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power. P.J. O'Rourke